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1947-2014 (Archived)

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said Washington remained concerned about Pakistan’s intelligence service ISI amid disclosures by online whistle blower WikiLeaks that the spy agency continues to maintain links with Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Mr. Mullen said he was appalled at the leaks of 92,000 documents of the Defence department’s war in Afghanistan by the online whistle blower. According to the Pentagon, he told reporters on his way to Iraq that “any links which exists with terrorists organisations, whether it is Haqqani or LeT, was completely unacceptable”.

The U.S. commander said that leaked documents on the war did not call into question the U.S. strategy or relations with Pakistan.

He said information about Pakistan’s activities and other details were discussed during the major war strategy review last year.

“The information I have so far seen in the documents. There is nothing in there that was not reviewed or considered in the strategic review,” he said.

His comments came as voices grow louder against giving Pakistan a ‘blank cheque’ in the war on terror and media reports quoting Obama administration officials said now that the disclosures were in open “in some ways it makes it easier for us to tell Pakistan they have to help us”, the New York Times reported.

“The documents seem to lay out rich new details of connection between the Taliban and other militant groups and Pakistan’s main spy agency, the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI,” the paper said.

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1947-2014 (Archived)

Here is my reaction, moorath that I may be, to this breaking story. It is not news!

There is a famous scene in the movie Casablanca (old movie) where the character Captain Renault, says "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on" In the Casbah! This quote is almost now a cliche to describe situations where "black deeds" are ongoing and no one should be surprised unless of course they were not paying attention.

I hope I am not sounding unpatriotic. But... this is not news. It has been known for nearly a decade that ISI has sectors intensely committed to the ideals of jihad, and to undermining any government in Karachi that veers too far in the direction of constructive relations with the West and/or with India. It is not a secret. No one should be shocked. It has been reported time and again that terrorist cells have links with ISI, and that terror training camps have support within ISI. The problem has never been the cloak of darkness. The problem has always been that ISI is deeply divided in its loyalties and the governments of Pakistan, even under Musharef, could never be 100 percent confident of ISI loyalty.

So what is it with all this amazement? We know this. For it only now to be officially "unacceptable" demonstrates that the Wiki leak is more disturbing for any number of reasons, than rediscovering ISI is a black hole of intrigue. With Pakistan, India and the US are still playing out the story of the scorpion and the frog. Who gets to play the scorpion is always another news story. swordfight

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1947-2014 (Archived)

Here is some background reading for anyone who wants to know if the spokesman in the YouTube video really did have that look of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle on a highway - and it was not the press he was afraid of.

Why are "we" acting as if this is new? Here is a discussion about the question of Who is really in charge in Pakistan? Dates 2008, and one government back. Under "strong man" Musharef.

In Musharraf's shadow, a new hope for Pakistan rises

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Over the last several months, a little-known, enigmatic Pakistani general has quietly raised hopes among American officials that he could emerge as a new force for stability in Pakistan, according to current and former government officials. But it remains too early to determine whether he can play a decisive role in the country.

In late November, the general, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, took command of Pakistan's army when the country's longtime military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, resigned as army chief and became a civilian president. At that time, Kayani, a protégé of Musharraf's, became one of Pakistan's most powerful officials.

The Pakistani Army has dominated the country for decades and the army chief wields enormous influence. Over time, as Kayani gains firmer control of the army, he is likely to become even more powerful than Musharraf himself.

"Gradually, General Kayani will be the boss," said Talat Masood, a Pakistani political analyst and retired general. "The real control of the army will be with Kayani."

But within weeks, Kayani's loyalties — and skills — are likely to come under intense strain. The two civilian political parties that oppose Musharraf are vowing to conduct nationwide street protests if Musharraf's party wins delayed parliamentary elections now scheduled for Feb. 18.

The parties already accuse Musharraf — who is widely unpopular according to public opinion polls — of fixing the elections. If demonstrations erupt, Kayani will have to decide whether to suppress them. What he decides will determine who rules Pakistan, according to Pakistani and American analysts. The decision also could affect whether the country descends into even deeper turmoil.

They predict that Kayani will remain loyal to Musharraf to a certain extent. But they say he will not back Musharraf if his actions are viewed as damaging the army.

"He's loyal to Musharraf to the point where Musharraf is a liability and no longer an asset to the corporate body of the Pakistani military," said Bruce Riedel, a former CIA and White House official and a Pakistan expert.

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